Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Los Angeles, CA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

San Francisco, CA
$281,690
/ year
+20%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$234,282
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$281,690✓ higher
$234,282
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$182,168✓ higher
$151,509
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$435,584✓ higher
$362,276
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$187,858✓ higher
$157,042
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$167,673
$169,770✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$182,168✓ higher
$151,509
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$435,584✓ higher
$362,276

What if you move from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$47,408
20% decrease
Take-home change
$30,816
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,097
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

San Francisco, CA$281,690
P10: $182,168Median: $281,690P90: $435,584
Los Angeles, CA$234,282
P10: $151,509Median: $234,282P90: $362,276

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Los Angeles?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $281,690/yr compared to $234,282/yr in Los Angeles, CA. San Francisco pays 20% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $167,673/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,770/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $187,858/yr, vs $157,042/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.